Jaipur, February 1, 2026.
Jaipur witnessed an extraordinary celebration of fitness and sporting spirit on Sunday morning as more than one lakh runners took part in the AU Jaipur Marathon 2026, making it one of the largest marathon events in the country. The marathon was organised by Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha and World Trade Park, in association with AU Small Finance Bank and Rajasthan Tourism.
The marathon was flagged off by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, who praised the organisers and participants for promoting a healthy lifestyle. He said the AU Jaipur Marathon is not just a sporting event but a strong step towards building a healthy Rajasthan and transforming fitness into a mass movement.
Several dignitaries were present on the occasion, including Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha President Pt. Suresh Mishra, World Trade Park Chairman Anoop Bartaria, AU Small Finance Bank COO Yogesh Jain, Race Director Ravi Goyanka, and Marathon CEO Mukesh Mishra. Fitness icon Milind Soman added to the excitement by running the 21 km International Half Marathon, motivating thousands of participants, while Bollywood actress Ishita Raj cheered the runners.
The marathon saw participation from runners representing 32 countries, along with specially-abled and physically challenged participants, highlighting inclusivity and social unity. The event also witnessed the creation of two world records — one for the largest collective singing of Vande Mataram by students of Vivekananda Global University at a sports event, and another for a unique scientific experiment themed “Mother – The Center of Balance.”
In the Full Marathon (42.195 km) men’s category, Nilesh Arsekar secured first place, followed by Manav Sharma and Rahul Kataria, while Arpita Saini won the women’s title. In the Half Marathon, Versi Ram and Aarti Rao emerged as winners in the men’s and women’s categories respectively. Winners were also declared in the 10K Green Run and 5K Run categories.
Comprehensive arrangements for medical services, traffic management, hydration points and volunteers ensured the smooth and safe conduct of the event. The successful organisation of AU Jaipur Marathon 2026 once again established Jaipur as a major national hub for fitness, sports and mass participation events.